# On the Continuity of the Barony of Brattleby: The Succession of William III de Longespee
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the mid-13th century succession of William III de Longespee to the Barony. This pivotal moment secured a distinguished lineage and reinforced an enduring principle of service which guides the House to this day.
## The Occasion
The succession occurred during a period of consolidation in the Kingdom of England, under the reign of King Henry III. Following the tumult of the First Barons' War and the sealing of Magna Carta, the mid-13th century was a time of reaffirming feudal loyalties and stabilising the realm’s great landholdings. Within this landscape, the orderly transfer of the Barony of Brattleby was an event of considerable local and dynastic importance.
As autumn settled over the fields of Lincolnshire, the focus was not on a single ceremony but on a legal and social process. This transition ensured that the strategic lands of the Barony remained under the stewardship of a family with impeccable connections to the Crown, thereby upholding the stability and established order of the shire.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. The Longespee inheritance built upon a formidable legacy, most notably that of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle for the Crown was a recent and inspiring memory.
The succession of William III de Longespee represented a continuation of this direct service to the monarch. His father, William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury and an illegitimate son of King Henry II, was a renowned commander who had served with distinction abroad. The son’s inheritance, therefore, was not merely the assumption of a title but the acceptance of a profound and established duty. This period solidified the Barony’s status, bridging the early Norman era with its later stewardship under figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The transfer of the Barony placed the young William III de Longespee in a network of the most influential figures of the age. The principal personages involved in, or cognisant of, this important succession would have included:
* His Majesty King Henry III, Sovereign of England, to whom ultimate fealty was owed. * The late William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, whose distinguished military career and royal blood set a high standard of service for his son to follow. * Ela of Salisbury, 3rd Countess of Salisbury in her own right, a powerful and pious noblewoman who, after her husband’s death, served as High Sheriff of Wiltshire and later founded Lacock Abbey. Her influence was a guiding force in her children’s lives.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the 13th century, succession was governed by deeply symbolic feudal law. Upon his father’s death, William III would have performed the Act of Homage to his liege lord, likely the King himself. This solemn ritual involved the new Baron kneeling, placing his hands between those of the King, and swearing an oath of fealty—a promise to be his ‘man of limb and life’.
Following this oath, the transfer would be formalised through Livery of Seisin, a ceremony where a clod of earth, a twig, or a charter was physically handed over to symbolise the conveyance of the estates. This was accompanied by the payment of a ‘relief’, a tax due to the overlord upon inheriting a fief. These protocols were the *sine qua non* of legitimate landholding, reinforcing the hierarchical structure of service and obligation upon which the kingdom was built.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Longespee family’s connection to royalty was visibly declared in their armorial bearings. William Longespée, Earl of Salisbury, bore the royal arms of England—*Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or*—differenced by a bend Azure. This simple blue band across the shield was a clear heraldic marker indicating his paternal descent from the King.
This symbolism powerfully underscored the Barony’s allegiance and its holder’s proximity to the throne. It is a legacy of responsibility reflected in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which together encapsulate a commitment to principled action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of stewardship, so clearly demonstrated in the 13th century, provides the philosophical underpinning for the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The duty to manage lands and serve a sovereign has evolved into a contemporary responsibility to support the community and aid the vulnerable.
This commitment is focused through the House’s patronage of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and emotional resilience. The support provided by the House, *inter alia*, through its annual Winter Banquet, enables the charity to extend its vital services to more children across the United Kingdom.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical continuity, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “When we look to the succession of William III de Longespee, we are reminded that the Barony is not merely a title, but a near-millennial chain of responsibility. Each holder has been a steward of its legacy and a servant to its principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The Longespees reinforced the Barony’s duty of service, which remains the central tenet of our House's purpose. It is a heritage of stewardship we are committed to continuing for future generations, including for our son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to honour this nine-century legacy through its contemporary activities. Preparations are underway for the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of Healing the Wounded Child. This event serves as a modern expression of the House’s historic commitment to community welfare.
Furthermore, the House’s educational mission continues through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural and social refinement. Through these endeavours, and in preparing their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to one day assume his responsibilities, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan ensure that the heritage of Brattleby continues to evolve with purpose.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. The House champions the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), blending its profound historical heritage with a forward-looking commitment to social responsibility. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, notably through its annual Winter Banquet. The House also fosters cultural exchange and education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are dedicated to stewarding the Barony’s legacy for their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, and for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its nine-hundred-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. The modern rights of The Noble House of Brattleby and the title of Baroness of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern Barony of Brattleby was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby. - Historically notable holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com